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Pituitary
Published in: Pituitary 2/2018

01-04-2018

Management of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs): observation

Authors: Wenyu Huang, Mark E. Molitch

Published in: Pituitary | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) range from those causing significant hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction and visual field compromise due to their large size to those being completely asymptomatic. In the absence of hypersecretion, hypopituitarism or visual field defects, patients with NFAs may be followed by periodic surveillance using MRI to detect tumor enlargement. In some cases, endocrine tests are also needed during observation to discover new pituitary dysfunction. Enlargement of NFAs without treatment occurs in about 10% of microadenomas and 23% of macroadenomas. Growth of a pituitary incidentaloma, the development of visual field defects or the development of hypopituitarism are potential indications for surgery during follow up.
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Metadata
Title
Management of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs): observation
Authors
Wenyu Huang
Mark E. Molitch
Publication date
01-04-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Pituitary / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1386-341X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7403
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-017-0856-0

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